Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
ASEPTIC PROTECTIVE SYSTEM AGAINST GERMS AND DIRT FOR BEVERAGE
BOTTLES AND CANS AND SYSTEM FOR JOINING BEVERAGE CANS.
FIELD OF INVENTION: In the manufacture, filling, storage, transport and
dispensing
of beverage cans and bottles.
STATE OF THE ART. The cans and bottles of soft drinks, beer, etc. must be
consumed after opening. Non-biodegradable plastics are used for storage and
transport.
Both land and sea have been filled with polluting plastics, which will be
difficult to remove,
especially if a policy of using biocompatible plastics is not started already,
where possible.
In addition, with this system the cans are grouped together, especially with
smaller ones,
and protected to avoid contamination from dirt, fungi and microorganisms.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Objective of the invention and advantages.
To obtain a coupling between attached or tongue and groove beverage cans in a
simple and economic way and especially with smaller cans. Using several
joining and
storage systems.
Eliminating or reducing the use of non-biodegradable plastic or thermoplastic
material, favouring the environment.
Protect the ends, mouths or necks of the bottles, cans or beverage cans from
dirt,
bacteria, fungi or microorganisms.
Use biodegradable plastic films, bands, sleeves, caps, covers or stoppers as
protective elements.
This system could be of obligatory use, if there is not something better.
Problem to be solved
The area where the lips are applied to bottles or cans for the consumption of
drinks,
soft drinks, water, etc., as it is not protected, is usually exposed during
storage and transport
to all kinds of germs and dirt. This occurs especially in the last stage of
distribution, so
protection must be provided at the place of manufacture to prevent
contamination from
reaching the consumer. Because of the large number of cans used and the waste
produced,
especially the plastics used to transport them, it is very important to take
action to avoid the
use of non-biodegradable plastics and other polluting waste materials. This is
especially
important when they are consumed in areas without garbage collection, such as
at sea or in
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-07-31 1
the countryside.
The aseptic protective system against germs and dirt for beverage bottles and
cans
and system for joining beverage cans of the invention, consists of applying a
protective cover
to the end or mouth of the bottles or cans of drinks and soft drinks including
water, whose
protective elements consist of sheets or films, sleeves, caps, lids, stoppers
or belts made
of biodegradable plastic materials, which protect them from contamination by
germs and
dirt. attaching or tongue-and-groove joints to groups or rows of cans, the
attachments use
covers, sheets of tape, bands or a cover of biodegradable material or plastic
that is added
to them.
The caps or stoppers can be fitted under pressure, but they generally have
strips or
bands that tear, separate and leave the ends of the bottle or can spouts free.
Sleeves can
also be used whose peripheral edge adheres to the bottle or can thermally,
melting it by
applying heat.
The caps or lids can be fixed with a light layer of adhesive, or with fixing
and breaking
points. These caps or lids can have skirts, optionally adhesive, to extend the
protection
area.
The cover can be applied to pairs of cans with a tongue-and-groove joint,
covering
their joint with the protective strip or band with the strip or band of
breakage or tearing,
which can be replaced by a tear or weakening line.
Using biodegradable materials such as biodegradable plastics especially based
on
starch, corn-starch and other vegetables that avoid the use of cellulose from
trees, for
grouping, cleaning and protection. Cellophane, which is a natural polymer, can
also be
used, but it is obtained from cellulose. In other cases, a cover of aluminium
foil, tin or
metallized biodegradable plastic can be used.
There are currently bottles that have a foil cover around the neck, which,
although
they meet the requirements for protection from dirt and germs, are not valid
because they
do not separate or remove easily.
The covers proposed are generally attached, but preferably they can be loose
except on the periphery of the bottle in contact with the container or can. In
such periphery
it can have more pressure on the container.
The protective elements are loose except in the periphery of the same in
contact
with the container, in this periphery carries a higher pressure on the
container. The
protective elements may be attached to the containers.
The groups or rows of cans are constructed in such a way that the bottoms of
the
cans are placed at their ends towards the outside and therefore those carrying
the nozzles
and opener are protected internally from dirt and contamination.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-07-31 2
The union can be done by tongue and groove, attached or glued, and by adding
some covers or sleeves, tapes or bands of metal sheets, biodegradable
materials such as
biodegradable plastics especially based on corn-starch and other plants that
avoid the use
of cellulose from the trees, for grouping, cleaning and protection.
Instead of the rings of subjection, trays are used which carry lodgings for
the tongue
and groove of the ends of the cans, allowing besides to hold, to attach the
cans by their
ends where they carry the nozzle, so that these are protected of polluting
elements. The
butts of the cans must be placed at both ends of each group of cans. To do
this, the last can
is inverted at one end. This way all the nozzles are protected from
contamination.
The ends of the cans can be cylindrical or conical.
In principle, the wrapping system of covers, tapes or bands of metal sheets or
biodegradable material or plastic can be used with the standardized cans, and
in a second
term, other systems that use the modified cans and tongue and groove can be
used.
The attachment or tongue-and-groove joint is made lengthwise, as follows:
(a) By means of bands or sheets of tape around the ends of both cans. These
are
valid for all systems.
b) By adding between the ends of each two cans an independent supplemental
band
or ring, which carries the system of tabs and cavities mentioned in system a),
which is
tongue-and-groove with both ends of the cans next to each other.
c) By means of bands or sheets that surround the ends of both cans attached to
each other (a portion of the central area of the bands is removed and detached
to leave the
cans free).
d) By means of strips that surround the ends of both cans. These are removed
for
use.
e) By means of a protective sleeve that completely surrounds each group or row
of
cans attached to each other.
(f) By means of a radial flexible flange, curved or semi-circular in shape, on
the
perimeter of the end of one of the cans which is inserted or covered in the
end of the
adjacent canister which has a recess or semi-cylindrical cavity for housing
and fixing the
flexible flange. The flexible flange can be slotted for easy bending.
In cases b) and f) where tapes, bands or covers are not used, these can be
added
for greater protection and fastening.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 shows a schematic and partial view of two cans or tins attached
lengthwise
and covered and protected at their adjoining ends with a protective and
advertising strip of
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-07-31 3
biodegradable plastic material.
Figures 2 to 5 show schematic views of groups of cans or tins covered totally
or
partially with a biodegradable plastic film, which holds them in place and
simultaneously
prevents contamination with dirt and germs of all kinds. The ends that carry
the nozzle are
the tongue and groove and those that have the protection cover, leaving the
base that does
not need protection at the ends.
Figures 6 to 8 show schematic, partially sectioned and partial views of pairs
of cans
or JARJARs which are tongue and groove, lengthwise to each other. Both the
material of
the cavities and the tabs have a great degree of flexibility, however to make
this
characteristic more ostensible they are exaggerated in the drawings, in
reality they would
be almost imperceptible.
Figure 9 shows a set of groups of cans packed and prepared for storage or
transport
Their outermost ends are also the bases of the cans.
Figure 10 shows a perspective and schematic view of a box of biodegradable
material, made of biodegradable plastic foam, which allows it to be
transported and stored
without the use of contaminants.
Figure 11 shows a schematic view of a pressurised tongue and groove box which,
once fitted, has a band added around it to increase its protection.
Figure 12 shows a schematic and partial view of cans or tins attached
lengthwise
and covered and protected at their ends with a biodegradable plastic band and
whose
interior carries the annular channels for tongue and groove. These are best
shown in figures
6, 7 and 8.
Figure 13 shows a schematic, elevated view of a bottle with the germ and dirt
protection system of the invention.
Figures 14 to 16 show schematic and top view of bottles with variants of the
protection system of the invention.
Figures 17 to 21 show schematic and elevation views of cans with the system of
the
invention.
Figure 22 shows a schematic and elevation view of a pair of tongue and groove
cans
with the covered joint with the protection system of the invention.
MORE DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A OF REALIZATION MODE
Figure 1 shows a form of realization of the invention, it shows two cans (1)
whose
adjoining ends are covered with a tape or protective band of biodegradable
plastic (4x)
which is removed by pulling and tearing with the tab (20). It carries the ends
that carry the
nozzles inwards and the bases of the cans outwards
Figure 2 shows a group or row of cans (1) whose adjoining ends are covered
with a
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-07-31 4
sheet, sealed and protective cover of biodegradable plastic (4r), which is
removed in
sections by pulling and tearing with the tabs (20), which tear up to the joint
of each two cans
(21), leaving both free. The sheet or cover must cover both ends, it is not
shown in this way
to see in more detail the way it is wrapped and its use. The bases of the cans
are at the
ends of each group or row. The film can be transparent or advertising.
Figure 3 shows the cans (1) covered at their ends with the strip or sheet (4)
attached,
which is removed by pulling and tearing the tab (20). The bases of the cans
remain at the
ends of each group or set.
Figure 4 shows the cans (1), covered at the ends with the band or sheet (5)
which
is removed by pulling and tearing the tab (20), from the central band (5f),
which is part of
the band (5). The bases of the cans remain at the ends of each group or set.
Figure 5 shows the cans (1) covered at their ends with the tape or sheet (6)
which
is removed by pulling and tearing the tab (20). The bases of the cans remain
at the ends of
each group or set.
Figure 6 shows two cans (1), covered at their ends by a flange or forming an
internal
flexible flange (2p), which are tongue-and-groove with a supplementary band
(2x) made of
biodegradable plastic, in channels where it is inserted under pressure.
Figure 7 shows the can (1), covered at their flanged ends or forming an
internal
flexible flange (2p), which are tongue-and-groove with a circular supplemental
band or
biodegradable outer ring (2b), into which the canister end flanges carrying
the nozzles and
the means of opening are pressed.
Figure 8 shows the cans (1), covered with a flange at their ends or forming an
internal flexible flange (2p), which are tongue-and-groove with an internal
biodegradable
circular band or ring (2i), into which the flanges of the cans carrying the
nozzles at their
ends are pressed. Add the outer band (2e).
Figure 9 shows the groups of cans (1) covered with a film or sheet of
biodegradable
material or plastic (7t) and arranged in the box of biodegradable material
(7), which can be
made of plastic foam that is equally biodegradable.
Figure 10 shows the box of biodegradable material (7) with interior
departments
created by means of the partitions (7s) that allow its transport and storage
without the use
of contaminating material.
Figure 11 shows the tongue and groove of the tabs (2p) with the (2m) of the
cans
(1), finishing with a ring band (2b).
Figure 12 shows groups of cans (1) attached lengthwise, whose adjoining and
attached ends are covered with a seal and protective band of biodegradable
plastic (2x), in
the form of a perforated tray, which carries inside some annular channels
where pairs of
cans are tongue-and-groove at their ends.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-07-31 5
Figure 13 shows a form of realization of the invention, it shows a bottle (11)
with the
end of the neck covered with the cap (12), which carries the line of weakening
or tearing (3)
when pulling the tab (20).
Figure 14 shows a bottle (11) with the end of the neck covered with the cap
(12),
which carries the strip or tape of breakage or tearing (15).
Figure 15 shows a bottle (11) with the end of the neck covered with the cap
(12), the
edge of which (9) is thermally attached. Tear, strip or line systems of
weakening and
breaking, by pulling a tab, are not shown. The cap can be torn off by pulling
it with a sharp
element over the hollow areas.
Figure 16 shows a bottle (11) with the end of the neck covered with the cap
(6),
which can be snapped on and has fixing points (8) of adhesive material on its
periphery
which tear and break when the cap is turned or pulled. Instead of the adhesive
points, it
can be fitted with skirts.
Figure 17 shows a can (1) whose opening end carries the lid (12), which
carries the
weakening or tearing line (3) when the tab (20) is pulled.
Figure 18 shows a can (1) whose opening end carries the cover (12), which
carries
the breaking or tearing strip or tape (5).
Figure 19 shows a can (1) whose opening end carries the cover (12), which uses
the breaking or tearing strip or tape (5).
Figure 20 shows a can (1) whose opening end carries the lid (17), which is
snapped
on and has fixing points (8) of adhesive material on its periphery that tears
and breaks when
the lid is rotated or pulled. Instead of the fixing points, it can carry some
skirts, which can
be adhesive.
Figure 21 shows a can (1) whose opening end carries the cover (12), which
carries
the tear or break tape or strip (5), next to the peripheral edge of the cover.
Figure 22 shows the two cans (1). Cover their joint with the protective strip
(4x) and
carry the strip or tape of breakage or tearing (5). This can be replaced by a
tear or
weakening line as in figure 5.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-07-31 6
